The screen also includes two built-in speakers for relaying the audio signal that can also be transmitted on the same USB-C cable as the video signal. Lepow has also included a 3.5mm headphone jack for private listening or to connect a larger speaker. Finally, the screen has a multifunction control wheel that can be used for accessing display settings like brightness, contrast, color, etc.
The first thing to say about the LePow Z1 is that it doesn’t come with a proper stand. It does have a protective carrying case that converts to something similar to an iPad stand. Ideally, the screen needs a stand that can vary its height. Fortunately, Lepow sells stands specifically designed for the screen. The screen on the Z1 is a satin non-reflective surface framed with a fairly thin bezel. The screen does a great job of cutting down reflections that can make work difficult.
Like a lot of modern LED displays, the Lepow Z1 is a high-contrast model and has a viewing angle of 85 degrees. The colors are vibrant and I detected a slight green cast to the screen in its native state. The native color temperature is 6,800k and the color gamut is rated at 85%. The resolution is excellent and makes reading emails with small fonts much easier to see.
To connect my iMac to the Z1, I used the supplied HDMI-to-Mini HDMI cable with a Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter which I then plugged into the iMac. The screens went blank for a few seconds before resetting to Extended Mode where the Z1 screen works as an extended display space to the left of my iMac screen. This setting can be changed to a Mirror setting where the Lepow Z1 just mirrors exactly what’s showing on the main monitor.
As already mentioned, the contrast and color of the Z1’s IPS panel is a bit “over the top” when it was first switched on so I used my DataColor Spyder X display calibrator to measure and adjust the Z1’s settings. This worked well and soon the colors were toned down a little and closer to those displayed on my iMac. I think the Z1 shows a slight bias to green but it’s hard to know for sure as our brains are exceptionally clever at adjusting our perception of colors.